New world record crowns claimed for cycling and football as the oldest man celebrates his 146th birthday

From a tiny village in Wales to one of the world's smallest cities, more than 7,000 miles apart, a number of celebrations are taking place after three world records were broken.

For more than four decades the world's top football clubs have been vying to break the record for the longest winning streak.

Even the mighty Arsenal could not come close to claiming the title during its historic unbeaten run over a decade ago.

But a team which started life in the tiny Welsh border village of Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain has broken the 44 year old record held by one of the greatest Dutch sides in history, Ajax, which included the legendary late Johan Cruyff.

The New Saints FC have now won 27 consecutive games, which beating the super streak set 44 years ago by Dutch football giants Ajax. Credit:
Wales News Service/Wales News Service

Ajax held the title after winning 27 games in a row in its 1971-72 season.

But following a 2-0 win against Cefn Druids on Friday, Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints (TNS) took the title.

Taking the title was made even sweeter for the side after Real Madrid, with the talents of Welsh international Gareth Bale, failed to take it in 2015 when it only managed 22 consecutive wins.

The New Saints FC have now won 27 consecutive games, which beating the super streak set 44 years ago by Dutch football giants Ajax. Credit:
Wales News Service/Wales News Service

A bigger title feat being celebrated was that of Nottingham-based cyclist Kajsa Tylen who on Saturday smashed the 78 year old record for the greatest distance cycled by a woman in a year.

The 40-year-old broke the 1938 record set by Billie Fleming, who had cycled 29,603 miles, after riding 32,326 miles – an average of almost 89 miles a day.

Her travels took her through eight countries – the UK, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland

Cyclist Kajsa Tylen smashed the 78 year old record for the greatest distance cycled by a woman in a year.

Tylen said: “I set out on New Year’s Day with the objective to achieve ‘a year in the saddle’ and set a new Guinness World Record and am delighted to have done so.

"I can now truly claim the title of ‘one woman, one year, one world record."

Meanwhile, 7,600 miles away in the Indonesian city of Sragen, in Central Java, which has a population the size of Carlisle, the world's oldest man celebrated his 146th birthday.

Mbah Gotho has not surprisingly outlived all 10 of his siblings as well as his four wives, the last of whom died in 1988.

Despite the Indonesian records office confirming Mr Gotho's birthdate, which is specified on his Indonesian ID card as 31st December 1870, it has not been independently verified.

Officially the title for the eldest person belongs to French woman Jeanne Calment, who lived to be 122.

Despite his advancing years, Mr Gotho is still able to walk and move independently and last night relatives held a party for him.

"He eats everything and has never even been ill," a family member said.

He has been preparing for his death ever since he was 122, creating a gravestone in 1992.